Somewhere in Between

Barely Functioning

The next day, KS wakes up early.

Or more like, she never actually went to sleep because the bed was too cold and no amount of blankets could provide the warmth that she so desperately craved.

KS wakes up early, but without rest and with a splitting headache.

It is quiet.

Too quiet.

She notes the heavy silence around her–the stillness of the air and the absence of the soft breaths that always tickle her awake.

KS can't help but acknowledge the distinct fear she still feels when she opens her eyes and finds herself alone.

She tries to stop it.

She really does.

But she's helpless when her chest tightens once more and it becomes harder to breathe.

She grips the sheets tight and forcibly blinks away the images.

Gunshots. Blood.

Driving. Blood.

The cliff. Blood.

Haseena...

And blood.

Blood.

So much blood.

"Karishma?"

KS looks up at the loud knock.

"Uth bhi jaiye ab, maharani sahiba," PJ calls from outside her room, knocking once more in urgency. "Humein HQ jana hai reporting ke liye, toh hum abhi nikal rahe hain. Aapse direct thane mein milein ge."

KS stares at the door for a long time, unblinking.

Seconds pass.

PJ knocks again.

"Karu? Uthi ya nahin?" she asks impatiently.

KS opens her mouth, but words fail her.

"Der ho rahi hai, beta," PJ reminds her. "Ab tak toh Santu bhi pohanch gayi hogi Urmila ko le kar."

At last, KS breathes.

Urmila is fine.

Which means, Haseena is fine.

KS didn't lose her.

Not again.

"Karishma?" PJ calls once more, sounding concerned now.

This time, KS musters up enough strength to answer.

"J-ji Amma. Uth gaye," she stutters, hoping it can pass as a sleepy voice. "A-aap dhyan se jana. Hum aapse thane mein milte hain."

PJ pauses outside the door, sensing something's off.

KS waits.

PJ sighs, deciding to give her space for now, and leaves.

KS blinks out of her daze, slowly pulling away from her nightmare.

It felt so real.

KS frowns, correcting herself.

It was real.

She wonders how long it will take for her to stop being haunted by the memories of the one she never lost. She doesn't know if she can ever fully recover from the trauma of the pain they've all been through.

There is a faint noise of the front door closing, chasing her away from the morbid thoughts.

KS shakes her head once more and reluctantly gets up.